Corn popper



May 4 ,1926.

A. P. LEWIS CORN POPPER Filed June 12, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4/0/ Lewis 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY May 4,1926. 1,583,357

, A. P. LEWIS I CORN POPPER Filed June 12, 1925 2 h tsh et 2 I/vVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented May 4, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR P. LEWIS, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-FIFTH TO RENO DUTT, OF AKRON, OHIO.

CORN POPPEB.

Application filed June 12, 1925.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR P. Lnwrs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn Poppers, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to electric corn peppers and more particularly to such devices as are designed to be used in the home,

The object of my invention is to produce a new and improved type of corn popper utilizing house lighting current for the heating element and so constructed that it may be operated on the table.

A further object of my invention is to produce such a device which will require a minimum amount of manual effort in its operation.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from the drawings and description and will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof in which like numerals designate like parts Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete device showing the general appearance and construction thereof.

Fig. 2 is a vertical view partly in cross section longitudinally through the heating element, and

Fig. 3 is a similar view through the corn container.

Referring to the drawings, the stationary part of the device consists of a frame which may assume various forms but in the form illustrated consists of end frames 1, 1 separated by rods 2, 2 fastened thereto. Each of the frames 1, 1 is provided with a bearing 1 preferably of an anti-friction type, those illustrated consisting of knife edge bearings.

Mounted between the frames 1, 1 is a frame 3 provided with knife edges 3 for cooperating with bearings 1, A pendulum weight 4 is suspended rigidly from frame 3. An electrical heating element is mounted in frame 3 and may consist of a resistance element 5 mounted on a block of vitreous insulating material 6 which may be curved to conform to the corn container as shown in Fig. 1, or of flat construction as shown in Fig. 2. Frame 3 is provided with an inwardly turned edge 3 on which the heating Serial No. 36,626.

element rests. Frame 3 is also provided with a cross-bar 3 the ends of which extend beyond the frame and terminate in the knife edges 3 The insulating block 6 is provided with a pair of terminal screws 7, 7 to which the ends of the resistance element 5 are connected. An insulation bushing 1 passes thru one of the frame members 1 near the knife bearing 1 and a flexible two-wire cord 8, passing therethru, serves to connect the terminal screws 7 7 to the source of current at the same time offering only small torsional resistance to the swinging frame 3. By means of cord 8 connection may be made to a convenient outlet box or lighting bracket in a manner well known in the art.

The corn container 9, illustrated in Fig. 3, is made separate from the parts heretofore described and is of such dimensions as to closely fit the frame 3. This container is provided with one open end designed to be completely covered by a lid 10 hinged thereto and provided with an extension 10 and a knob 10", A tension coiled spring 11 extends from the lid 10 to a convenient point inside the container 9 and serves to keep the container normally closed. A handle 12, preferably of low heat conductive material such as wood, is provided whereby the container may be lifted to and from frame 3.

In order to allow the heated air to circulate thru the corn container, I prefer to make the entire container of wire netting or of similar construction. The wire netting is particularly desirable as a container made from it contains a minimum amount of heat conductive material and is of minimum weight.

The knob 10 is also formed of heat insulating material and is so located in relation to handle 12 that when the fingers grasp the handle, the thumb of the same hand may depress the knob and thereby open the container.

The operation of the device is as follows:

By means of the cord 8 connection is made to a suitable source of electric current whereupon the heating element is caused to glow at a red heat. The container 9 is removed. from frame 3, a small quantity of pop corn is inserted therein, and the container is replaced. By means of the handle 12, the frame 3 and the container are tipped toward one end and on being released therefrom continues to oscillate due to the pendulum Weight 4 for a considerable period of time. When the amplitude of the oscillation de creases appreciably a slight touch of the hand will accelerate it. By the oscillating movement, the corn is constantly kept mov ing over the surface of the container, the cylindrical shape of which aids in causing the corn to settle toward the center, It is found that the weight of the pendulum 4 and the location of thepivots 3 may be so determined by experiment that the container will oscillate at the proper frequency to keep the corn in motion, As soon as the corn is popped, the container may be removed and emptied with one hand and is ready for refilling.

Having described my invention so as to enable anyone skilled in the art to construct and operate the same, What I claim is:

1. In an electric corn popper, a frame, and an electrically heated corn container pivotally supported thereon and balancing means suspended from said corn container.

2. In an electric corn popper a frame, electric heating means pivotally supported on said frame, balancing means suspended from said heating means, and a removable corn container above said heating means.

3. In an electric corn popper a frame and a pendulum supported therefrom provided with a heating element and means for holding corn.

4. In an electric corn popper a frame, a pendulum pivoted thereon, a frame supported by the pendulum, a heating element in said frame, and a removable container held by said frame.

5. In an electric corn popper a frame, a compound pendulum pivoted on said frame and composed of a heating element and corn container supported above the pivoted axis and a weight suspended below said axis.

6. In an electric corn popper a support provided with bearings, a frame pivoted in said bearings, a heating element in said frame, a counterweight suspended below said frame and a corn container removably supported in said frame above the heating element.

7. In an electric corn popper a frame provided with knife edge bearings, a pendulum suspended in said bearings on knife edges, a heating element mounted above the axis of said knife ed es on said pendulum and a removable corn container on said heating element.-

8. In an electric corn popper a heating element and a corn container mounted thereon pivotally balanced so as to be capable of sustained oscillations when deflected from a position of repose.

9. In an electric corn popper a pendulum pivoted on a frame, a heating element mounted on said pendulum, a corn container mounted above said heating element and means for supplying electrical energy to said heating element.

10. In an electric corn popper a support having bearings, a pendulum suppored from said bearings, a frame mounted above said bearings on said pendulum, an electric heating element in said frame, a flexible connection to said heating element for supplying an electric current thereto, and a removeable corn container of reticulated construction supported on said frame and provided with a handle.

11. In an electric corn popper a heating element pivotally suspended so as to be capable of sustained oscillation, a reticulated corn container removably, supported thereon and provided with a hinged end, a spring for closing said end, a handle for manipulating the corn container and a lever for opening said end.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

ARTHUR P. LEWIS. 

